Denny Rodgers

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, following up on the questions from my honourable colleague from Yellowknife Centre, during my campaign it was brought to my attention from people struggling with diabetes that Inuvik, indeed, does not have a dialysis machine. I believe there are two in Yellowknife and one in Hay River. Would the Minister of Health and Social Services commit to having that equipment in Inuvik as well?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Premier. Mr. Speaker, how will the Premier how does the Premier plan to use the Council of Leaders and Intergovernmental Council to build stronger ties with Indigenous governments?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, to quote my friend from Yellowknife Centre, in the 84 days I have been in office, Mr. Speaker, it's clear to me that there's much work to be done.

We are dealing with addictions in every region of our territory. Mr. Speaker, our health system is strained. A shortage of nurses, doctors, and a medical travel department that has become increasingly overburdened, a housing crisis that continues to plague each region with long waitlists for public housing and lack of available market rental units. We have an economy that is stagnant and an industry across all...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Thank you to the mover and seconder. Mr. Speaker, I've struggled with this motion. I've had some long conversations with my colleagues. I was at one point supportive, at point not supportive, at one point thinking I would abstain to the motion, Mr. Speaker. And, you know, and I'll kind of explain why and where I am now on this motion, Mr. Speaker.

As leaders, as Members of the Legislative Assembly, and as representatives of the people in our communities, it is incumbent upon us, Mr. Speaker, to ensure the actions that we take are principled and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Minister. Mr. Speaker, if there's one person that requires dialysis, I think that warrants enough having a machine up there. My understanding is the cost of the machine is not the issue; it's not super expensive. But I also understand that if you are diabetic and you live in Inuvik, you have to move if you require dialysis. It's as simple as that, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I understand that one of the issues is that we use agency nurses and local nurses and you can't always be guaranteed that the nurses coming in are qualified to actually use that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thanks to the Premier. And I know the Premier is passionate and serious about working closely with Indigenous governments, and I certainly appreciate that.

Mr. Speaker, the Premier mentioned legislation, currently codrafting legislation that's currently limited to lands and resource, but the Premier's indicated a willingness to expand legislative codrafting. Can the Premier share with us or let us know his plans on the codrafting of other legislations, Mr. Premier?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Premier. Mr. Speaker, the Premier's committed to strengthening the relationship between this government and Indigenous governments and organizations. The Premier recently met with the Council of Leaders. What concerns have they brought forward from that meeting, Mr. Speaker?

So I assume, then, that the same position as the position is ready to be advertised and we'll soon have a new regional director up there?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Minister. Direct appointments, Mr. Speaker, are a tool that the GNWT can and does often use to place employees in the positions without running public competitions. Can the Minister provide the number of direct appointments in the GNWT over the last fiscal year and which of those were Indigenous? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister mentioned the Indigenous Retention Recruitment Framework. Can the Minister say how this framework is being monitored and the success of the departments to implement the employment plans are being monitored as well? Thank you.